Special needs expats to benefit from Health Insurance Scheme

Expatriates with special needs and those coming under certain categories are also eligible for the new health insurance cards, according to a media release.

Some of these cards were issued on Monday by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

"The ‘Aonak' health insurance card, for people with special needs, orphans and their (foster) mothers and ‘Riaaya' card for prisoners, detainees and inmates in correctional institutions are only for non-nationals living in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of HAAD.

Thiqa is the free Abu Dhabi health insurance scheme for UAE nationals, which is managed by the national health insurance company, Daman. There are over 580,000 Emiratis enrolled at Thiqa.

Al Siksek said that it is a self-funded scheme to be paid by the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brother General Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of HAAD said holders of the new cards will be eligible for free treatment and complete care, without incurring any additional fees.

The cards coverage include treatment for inpatient and outpatient care in hospitals, clinics and emergency centres; cost of equipment and medical devices; nutritional therapy; physiotherapy; medication; psychological treatment in outpatient clinics as well as screening for early detection of disease.

The ‘Riaaya' card also includes coverage for maternity costs, including provision of health services for children accompanying the mother in prison and during periods of temporary release.

Card holders of the ‘Aonak' and ‘Riaaya' health cards can go for treatment at any SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company) hospitals in the emirate. – Khaleej Times